Antimicrobial and immunostimulating composition

Abstract

A medical composition comprising an antimicrobially effective and immunostimulating amount of a combination of a β-glucan component and a silver-containing component is disclosed. The medical composition may be adapted for use topically or incorporated with a mesh material which may be further adapted for use as a wound dressing or as a surgical mesh. Methods for manufacturing the medical compositions described herein are also provided. The invention further provides methods for treating tissue damaged by wound or burn, and methods for treating or repairing tissue at a surgical site.

1 . A wound dressing comprising: 
 (a) a mesh material; and    (b) a composition comprising an antimicrobially effective and immunostimulating amount of a combination of a β-glucan component and a silver-containingcomponent.    
   
   
       2 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the wound dressing includes a first layer comprising the mesh material, and a second layer comprising the composition.  
   
   
       3 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh material comprises a synthetic material.  
   
   
       4 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh material comprises a synthetic material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate, polyglycolic acid, polyglactin, and silicone.  
   
   
       5 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh material comprises a material derived from a human source, an animal source, or a cadaveric source.  
   
   
       6 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh material is impregnated with the composition.  
   
   
       7 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is coated onto the mesh material.  
   
   
       8 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein about 0.01% to about 50% by weight of the wound dressing is the β-glucan component, and about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of the wound dressing is the silver-containing component.  
   
   
       9 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the composition includes about 10 parts by weight of cereal-derived β-glucan to about 3 parts by weight silver nitrate.  
   
   
       10 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises collagenic protein.  
   
   
       11 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of the wound dressing is the collagenic protein.  
   
   
       12 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , and further comprising, as an exterior surface, a polymeric vapor-permeable film in contact with the mesh material.  
   
   
       13 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the P-glucan component is a cereal-derived β-glucan compound.  
   
   
       14 . The wound dressing of  claim 13 , wherein the β-glucan compound is derived from wheat, oats, barley, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The wound dressing of  claim 13 , wherein the β-glucan compound has a molecular weight in the range of about 1 kDa to about 1500 kDa.  
   
   
       16 . The wound dressing of  claim 13 , wherein the β-glucan compound has a molecular weight in the range of about 200 kDa to about 700 kDa.  
   
   
       17 . The wound dressing of  claim 13 , wherein the β-glucan compound includes (1-3)(1-4) β-D-glucan.  
   
   
       18 . A method for treating tissue damaged by wound or burn, comprising the steps of: 
 a) cleaning a site of damaged tissue; and    b) applying topically to the site an antimicrobial and immunostimulating composition comprising a combination of a β-glucan component and a silver-containing component.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , and including repeating application of the composition intermittently until healing of the damaged tissue is complete.  
   
   
       20 . A method for treating tissue damaged by wound or burn, comprising the steps of: 
 a) cleaning a site of damaged tissue; and    b) covering the site with a wound dressing comprising a mesh material; and    c) a composition comprising an antimicrobially effective and immunostimulating amount of a combination of a β-glucan component and a silver-containing component.    
   
   
       21 . A method for treating or repairing tissue at a surgical site comprising the step of applying to the surgical site a biocompatible mesh device, the mesh device comprising: 
 a) a mesh matrix; and    b) a composition comprising an antimicrobially effective and immunostimulating amount of a combination of a β-glucan component and a silver-containing component.